* ARareSentence: Grace decides the theme she wants for her birthday party is for most of her friends to use alien technology to [[GenderBender temporarily swap their genders]], which isn't nearly as crazy as it would be in a more realistic setting but nevertheless takes a lot of people out of their comfort zones:-->'''Sarah:''' Part of me just wants to "get a room" with her. But that's just crazy! I don't want to lose my virginity as a guy, and I sure as heck don't want to risk getting Elliot pregnant! Which, by the way, is a sentence I ''never'' thought I'd say.* AbnormalAmmo: In the movie they watch [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2003-07-18 here]], horses.-->'''Justin:''' I'm not trained in the art of using horses as projectile weaponry.* {{Abusive Parent|s}}: [[BigBad Damien]] ended up making himself a sort of twisted father figure to Grace and her brothers, but there is nothing "fatherly" about him at all. He is an abuser pure and simple, able to control his "children" through fear and constantly hitting them whenever they displease him. And like any parent whose children are young enough, he's too powerful for them to do anything about it. And the reason he wanted Grace back? [[spoiler:He wanted to breed with her so that he could raise an army. Whether she wanted to or not. (She didn't, by the way.)]]** Unintentionally done by Tedd's mother, [[spoiler:using a magic analysis wand to see why he had no magical potential; he was frightened by the noise it made until it became a Pavlovian Response.]] * AbortedArc:** Hints dropped at Ellen having depression and taking up drinking were later explained away because the creator didn't like the direction it would take. Then, the unopened cans are stuffed back in the refrigerator by Elliot... [[IncrediblyLamePun behind the]] RedHerring.** The "Lord Tedd" arc will presumably pick up again some day, but it's more or less indefinitely on hold because the author realized he introduced it too early.** Susan's crusade against the school uniform policy dropped out of focus and then ended abruptly [[spoiler: not because nobody in the school wanted to wear the uniforms (even if only Susan was willing to openly act on the matter), but because the parents of the students complained about the increased laundry costs.]] (Although the author had always intended to end the arc in a lame way, he admitted didn't intend for it to be so abrupt.)* AcademyOfAdventure: Two of them: Moperville North and South.** Raven mentions offhandedly that South has many unusual children -- [[BadassTeacher and he's in charge of protecting them]]. What's more, he never states that other schools aren't like this -- we might just not have met Raven's Moperville North equivalent.** Though Moperville North does have its "well-meaning, but completely nuts" principal, and the Goo showed up there twice.* AccidentalNightmareFuel: What happens to 'Fox' when Nanase is knocked out was, according to Dan, "[[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2009-08-18 ...much less disturbing as I originally pictured it.]]"\\[-'''Dan:''' Those who are easily creeped out would do well to dismiss summons quickly rather than gradually.-]* AccidentalTruth:** Susan [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2003-06-27 tells one of these]] about [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2003-03-11 Justin being gay]]. And [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2003-07-10 one more about]] [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2009-11-19 spontaneous hair color changes]].** [[OppositeSexClone Ellen]] and [[HalfHumanHybrid Grace]]'s math teacher pretends to [[AwesomeByAnalysis deduce facts about his new students]], and concludes that "the end result appears to be a duplicate squirrel of some sort." The girls are rather shocked about how close to the mark he is until he says he was just messing with them and it had all been [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2007-12-17 gibberish]]. Then again, this ''is'' [[AcademyOfAdventure Moperville High]], so he may well have been lying/unknowingly magical.* ActionGirl: All the girls ([[GenderBender and some of the guys]]) except for [[UnfazedEveryman Sarah]].* ActuallyNotAVampire: ** A variation. Susan flashbacks to an earlier encounter with an 'Aberration' -- a person who has used magic in order to become immortal through parasitically leeching off the life-force of others. She starts to describe to her friends about how it had some vampire-like characteristics, realizes her description sounds like it is of a vampire, and decides to say it was one. When her friends ask if it really was one, she said 'No, not really, but it was a monster that used to be human, hypnotized young women and sucked blood out of their necks. It doesn't matter what I say. You two are going to hear "vampire."' The accompanying comments say no, it's not a 'real' vampire. About one arc later, [[spoiler:the body-snatcher Sirleck is also identified as an Aberration, albeit one of a different variety than the one Susan and Nanase encountered in France. The common thread is that Aberrations are creatures that were once human, but physically and mentally transformed themselves into monsters in order to gain immortality.]]** Despite what [[http://www.egscomics.com/egsnp/?date=2009-10-29 some people might think]], Raven assures you that [[http://www.egscomics.com/egsnp/?date=2009-11-03 he is not, in fact, a vampire]]. He also [[ItMakesSenseInContext wants you to know that sandwiches are delicious]].* {{Adorkable}}: Both Elliot ''and'' Ashley. According to Dan, the key to writing their interactions is to remember that they're both dorks and everything flows from there.* AerithAndBob: Jerry the Immortal thinks you should be glad he's a Jerry, because most immortals go for elitist names from ancient mythology.-->'''Jerry:''' Let me tell you, there is ''nothing'' more hilarious than the legendary hissy-fits that result from two or more immortals named Zeus running into each other.** One of these examples is "Chaos", who originally wanted to be known as "[[MeaningfulName Box]]", but settled for "[[Myth/GreekMythology Pandora]]" when the former proved too obscure for people to get the reference.* AgentsDating: Agents Wolf and Cranium are dating and doing a [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2009-10-26 terrible job at concealing it]].* AirVentPassageway: Noah uses the school's air vents to hunt a magical creature.* AlienAmongUs: [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2003-09-03 They're born on Earth, they're not aliens.]]* AllCheeringAllTheTime: A sketchbook entry [[http://www.egscomics.com/sketchbook/?date=2010-11-11 explains]] why "Cheerleadra" is an awful superhero concept.* AlphaBitch: Subverted. Diane is set up to be this, but she's revealed to actually care for her friends (and be concerned for random crying strangers), [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2008-02-01 as seen here]], and is thus really a LovableAlphaBitch. Her friend Lucy, [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2004-12-13 on the other hand]], fits the bullying part of the archetype but isn't the leader of the group.** Susan seemed to be an example of this at first, being portrayed as a snobby mean rich girl... but the moment she was given more screen time, she quickly got one hell of a character development. She was also revealed to have a traumatic backstory, so it would be more appropriate to call her a BrokenBird, or, more recently, a DefrostingIceQueen.* AlternateUniverse: Several. The one where Ellen and Kaoli "met" got Uryuoms and [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2006-08-25 seyunolu]] as an accepted part of Human life [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2008-01-15 for two centuries or so]]...** InSpiteOfANail: ...but it ''still'' has Tedd.** FlashSideways: "Sleepy Time" with Lord Tedd, "Second Life" with Ellen and Kaoli.* AmbiguousGender: Tedd (even without his regular GenderBender shenanigans) and Noah. WordOfGod even notes that a female posing model is used for both. It's even the first trope used for a joke in the comic.* AmicableExes: Nanase and Elliot are this after the former broke it off for Sarah's sake. Partially subverted for her that she later dates his OppositeSexClone Ellen.** More straight is [[spoiler: Sarah and Elliot, who came to their own conclusions why a relationship wouldn't work. The former because she felt it was too slow and passive, and the later realizing that he loved her [[LikeBrotherAndSister as a sister]]. Regardless, they're still very close, even teasing one another that they ''should'' have reacted more viciously.]]* AmusingInjuries: The end result of a Demonic Duck jumping out of [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2010-05-03 a moving car]]. They were NOT amusing enough to distract Susan. (Justified as she was the one driving the car, and the author has a strong dislike of drivers in fiction who let themselves get distracted way too easily.)* AnachronismStew: Played With. The comic is set in modern day but due to the fact that it has taken several years to go over a few months the technology progresses rapidly so [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=354 Sarah having a DDV/VHS player]] is impressive near the beginning [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=2320 but her having a modern cell phone]] is common place later on.* AnAesop: [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2012-02-07 This]] comic and [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2012-02-09 this]] one pretty much sum up the aesop for the Death Sentence arc.* AndCallHimGeorge: Played for laughs [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2010-06-11 here]].* AndThatWouldBeWrong: [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=1133 Sensei Greg, on the possibility that his training could give "atomic breath or something" to a sociopath:]] "While awesome, that would be totally irresponsible."* AngerBornOfWorry: The first panel of [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2004-06-30 this strip]].* AntiClimax:** Hedge is the King of [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2003-05-23 this]].** Unfortunately, the [[spoiler:school uniform]] subplot, one of the few subplots to actually receive a conclusion so far, suffers from this. In the commentary, Shive blames poor planning on the abrupt end, but insists the tone would have remained the same regardless.** [[spoiler:Elliot and Sarah's break up]] was surprisingly amicable, and it went down ''very'' smoothly, much to the surprise of the pair and many readers. This was quickly lampshaded about how none of their friends are going to believe that the [[spoiler:break up]] went so smoothly. * AntiVillain:** Grace's brothers [[spoiler:[[HeelFaceTurn at first]].]]** Abraham* ArbitrarySkepticism: The cast has dealt with magic, not-aliens, alternate dimensions, immortals, shapeshifting {{Biological Mash Up}}s, and lots and lots of GenderBending, but Tedd's claims of an interdimensional space whale that eats magic only gets him an odd look from his father.** Possibly justified immediately afterwards -- Tedd tells Elliot that his father can't be expected to know ''everything'', and Tedd's the only character known to even be able to ''sense'' the space whales.** In [[http://www.egscomics.com/egsnp.php?id=259 one of the NP's]], Susan derides the idea of a ZombieApocalypse as being scientifically-impossible. Grace quickly points out the flaw in that logic.* ArsonMurderAndJaywalking:** The Anime Style Martial Arts dojo is located in the same neighborhood as a strip club, cigarette store, adult bookshop, abortion clinic, and '''[[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=96 an ice cream shop]]'''.** In the commentary section of [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=1078 one comic]], referring to an ObviouslyEvil EldritchAbomination: "It probably ate a puppy for breakfast right before it burned down an orphanage and talked loudly on a cell phone at a restaurant."** In one strip where Agent Wolf is accusing Lavender (Mr. Verres' Uryuom secretary) of being an alien (again), he says that she has [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2007-04-11 a tail, bug-eyes, no nose or ears, and a]] [[ImpossibleHourglassFigure damn near impossible figure]].** [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2007-03-22 "I know this is a stressful time for you. You just realized you're gay, you're worried your family will find out, you were sneezed on..."]] Though admittedly, since she was the size of a ''doll'' when she was sneezed on, whether that's really that trivial is up for grabs.** [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2004-10-29 "Students fighting, transgender mayhem, wrecked hallways, hairpiece snatchings."]]* ArtifactTitle: Played with after so many people asked about the title's meaning. It was ''intended'' to be nonsense ("El Goonish" + the author's last name), but to appease the questioners, he [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=20030813 introduced]] a "hired goon." In a non-continuity FourthWallMailSlot {{filler}}. For one panel ([[MiserAdvisor do you know what is it worth to hire a really huge goon?]]). There was also [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2002-02-12 one]] easily missed mention of goons before this.** There's also repeated references to [[VideoGame/SuperSmashBros "Super Smash Goons Melee"]].* ArtEvolution: Contrast [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2002-01-26 this]] and [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2010-02-26 this]]. Same characters, same artist, 8 years.** He's also shifted from grayscale to full-color and back multiple times.** The [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2002-01-21 first comic]] and [[http://www.egscomics.com/sketchbook/?date=2012-01-21 tenth anniversary comic]] are also an excellent example of how the art has changed. Same two characters, nearly identical dialogue with a slight difference in the plot, vastly improved art style.* ArtImitatesArt: The second panel of [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2012-02-14 this]] page contains an extra imitating Edvard Munch's ''The Scream''.* AskAStupidQuestion: In "Sister III - Catspaws", [[spoiler: the messenger of Magic]] [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=2225 asks why Pandora shapeshifts into a child]]. He's ''instantly'' given an answer when she throws a massive temper tantrum.* AssholeVictim: PlayedForLaughs when [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=2388 a literal]] [[KickTheDog puppy kicking]] orphanage burning robber ends up as the first victim of an invading army of aberrations, showing that they've been eating humans while trying to avoid giving the story too dark a tone. Ironically, he never gets a chance to try his planned crimes as a result.* AsskickingEqualsAuthority [[spoiler: in [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=2166 this comic]], Andrea reveals that human royal bloodlines in her world have the strongest inherited magical ability, also making it a [[TheMagocracy Magocracy]]]].* AsYouKnow: One of the immortals following Elliot [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=20080825 recaps]] the plot points related to them. When her companion [[LampshadeHanging calls her on it]], she points out that it helps compensate for their EasyAmnesia.* AuraVision: What makes bloodgrem a useful summon instead of merely obnoxious. [[spoiler:Also, this is Luke's power from his magic mark. He can see something to do with magic, possibly magic potential.]]* AuthorAppeal:** The copious amount of transformation. In-story, Tedd represents this aspect of him. Or rather an exaggerated version, Tedd is more pervy than Dan.--> '''[[http://www.egscomics.com/sketchbook/?date=2012-03-29 Dan]]''': I suppose it's POSSIBLE Sarah won't get transformed at any point while assisting Tedd. Possible, but not bloody likely.** Also, judging from [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2010-02-19 this rant]], Susan (and Diane's) "concern for hygiene" is another example.** The fact Dan thinks goth girls are hot is pretty obvious. Most blatantly with Elliot (who's a bit of an idealized self-insert) getting a goth girl disguise form and liking it because it appeals to his obvious attraction to goth girls.** Large-busted girls, usually not to excess within the main comic, but without much limit in Patreon images. Lampshaded on [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=1881 this page]], and then the lampshade is lampshaded in Dan's commentary.* AuthorAvatar: Dan's squirrel avatar, though only out of continuity. Tedd and Elliot each serve this purpose less explicitly at times.** Actually, Dan is a [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2003-04-17 squirrel-boy character]] in the [[ShowWithinAShow comic strips Sarah draws in her spare time]].* AuthorCatchphrase: Dan never "plans" anything, he "plots". As in, "I was plotting to have new comics up Monday through Friday, but..."* AuthorFilibuster: The ''Legends of Celida'' arc so far seems to exist for the sole purpose of allowing Dan to rant about the true nature of Sheik from ''Ocarina of Time'' [[spoiler:and whether Zelda is simply casting an illusion or out and out transforms into a male]].** The ''Duel of the Discs'' arc is pretty much Dan using Justin, Grace, and Tensaided to give his opinions on Magic: The Gathering and the Star Wars prequels. And the arc before that, ''By the Numbers'', was basically Dan's opinion on movie rating sites like Rotten Tomatoes, albeit with a bone tossed towards possible future character development for both Elliot and Susan at the very end.* AuthorGuestSpot: Dan has appeared as himself as he appears in real life as the "super smart" guy in panel six of [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2010-09-17 this]] strip, but as he only revealed that it was him in the commentary and calls it a cameo, it is more like a CreatorCameo.* AwesomeMcCoolname: Pandora Chaos Raven. She chose it herself, and claims that it matches her personality. [[spoiler:Raven is actually her married name. She keeps it even though her human husband died centuries ago.]]* AWizardDidIt: the author's (word-for-word) explanation for any discrepancies in scenery or building layout, in [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2008-07-07 this page's]] commentary.** Also invoked in the title for [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2006-05-05 this comic.]]* BadassBoast: [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2009-06-18 "No one will care if I kill you."]]* BadassFamily: The Verres family, including cousin Nanase and resident Grace.** And the Raven family as well, with Adrian being one of the series' biggest badasses, and his adopted son/lodger Noah being able to defeat a dragon singlehandedly and has hints of being the child left behind from the experiments that created Damien and Grace. Meanwhile, Adrian's mother, Pandora, is one of the most powerful Immortals on the planet, although that power and mental instability go hand in hand. [[spoiler:Both power and instability appear to be going away, though!]]* BadassGay: Justin, as seen [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=1147 here.]]* BadassLongcoat: Hedge, Abraham, and, of all people, [[spoiler:Tedd's dad]].* BadassTeacher: Endangering students of Mr. Raven is the sort of things insurance companies make a specific exclusion for. Even for wizards.* BadLiar: Elliot. It proves to be a massive liability when he's being questioned by Damien and Hedge, but later is one of the reasons Mr. Verres leaves him to supervise Grace's birthday party.** Catalina as well. She just can't seem to hold back that she's dating [[spoiler:Rhoda.]]* BaitAndSwitch: In the Fate of Magic arc, it looks like it will be Tedd arguing for [[spoiler:revealing magic]] and Arthur arguing for [[spoiler:keeping it secret]]. But Tedd manages to get Arthur on board simply by [[spoiler:figuring out that there are over a thousand seers who will be aware of the magic change]]. Arthur realizes his goal is simply impossible in the modern world, but [[spoiler:magic itself]] is not so easily convinced.* BarbieDollAnatomy: Shirtless males are drawn without nipples in greyscale comics. WordOfGod is that this is because he can't make them look right without color. Color [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=2006 comics]] [[http://www.egscomics.com/sketchbook.php?id=782 and sketchbook entries]] have nipples though.** And [[http://www.egscomics.com/egsnp.php?id=490 now]] that's true for shirtless females in greyscale comics too.* BarBrawl: It is [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=2213 mentioned]] that Blake [[spoiler:Raven]] was involved in tavern fights.* BattleCouple: Ellen and Nanase.-->'''Nanase:''' ...Are you doing okay?\\'''Ellen:''' [[CasualDangerDialog Flying...is]] '''''[[CasualDangerDialog awesome!]]'''''\\'''Nanase:''' Focus, honey.* BearsAreBadNews: [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=2212 Especially if they're giant, magic, and half lion.]]* BeatPanel: Frequently, and once [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2002-04-03 turned into gag in its own right]].** Used to great effect when Nanase encounters one of the guys she dated before she came out. -->'''[[HollywoodNerd Gary:]]''' I don't mean to be rude, it's just I used to think you didn't want to go on a date with me because I was too geeky.\\''BEAT''\\'''Nanase:''' [[BlatantLies Yes.]] [[SureLetsGoWithThat It was entirely because I am a lesbian.]]** Again [[http://www.egscomics.com/sketchbook.php?id=694 in the sketchbook.]]* BeautifulAllAlong:** Guineas is a rare male example.** Susan between ArtEvolution and a [[DefrostingIceQueen less strained attitude]].** Charlotte once we [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=2153 see her without her glasses]].* BerserkButton: Quite a surprising number of times, for a relatively non-violent series.** Hurting Grace [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2003-12-22 makes Tedd]] resemble [[EvilOverlord Lord Tedd]] a bit.** Speaking of Tedd, well... [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2002-06-09 this is how Ellen came to be]].[[note]]Later revealed to be [[spoiler:Magus's influencing Tedd's emotions at a key point, as part of Pandora's scheme to get Magus a new body in as complicated and uncertain a way as possible.]][[/note]]** Grace is wired with [[BewareTheNiceOnes a little surprise]].** During the battle with Damien's "goons," Ellen merely has a thumb war with Guineas. Then Vlad nearly kills Nanase. He was REALLY asking for it.** Hurting [[BadassTeacher Raven's students.]]** Do not hurt Nanase (or any member of the Verres family, for that matter) in front of [[PapaWolf Mr. Verres]]. [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2009-11-03 He will break you.]]** Dan himself admitted in a commentary that while was perfectly fine with people believing in conspiracy theories, you will get on his bad side if you try to convince him the moon landing was faked.-->'''Dan:''' People worked their asses off, made sacrifices, and some even died in their effort to reach the moon. If someone is going to proclaim we never made it there, they better damn well have really solid evidence or '''kindly shut the hell up.'''** In a Q&A session, Dan reveals that [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2010-02-19 he absolutely despises...]] [[RantInducingSlight doors on public bathrooms]].-->'''Dan''': I've seen people exit bathroom stalls and walk ''right past the sinks''! '''There should always be a way to get out without touching that damn dirty handle'''!** And Mr. [[PunnyName Tensaided]], being an uber-nerd, proves [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=1438 a bit of intolerance for complete]] non-nerdy types, at least as far as the hiring process goes.** Do not [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=1758 bring up gay-bashing]] around Elliot without hugs on hand. Bullying in general is something of a button for him, but gay-bashing is worse than most.** Don't hit on Sarah and then [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=1921 assume she's gay just because she's not interested]] in you hitting on her. She Must Break You.* BewareTheNiceOnes: Grace, who can shapeshift into any number of extremely lethal forms when provoked. [[spoiler:And when she's reluctant or unable to enter close combat, she just uses telekinesis instead.]] [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2010-06-25 Beware, indeed.]]** Tedd looked like Lord Tedd when he discovered Damien's mistreatment of Grace, and especially when he learned it ''wasn't'' a one-off event. As "One Way Road" shows, he wants to be able to help his absurdly powerful friends, and is not satisfied with roles of a reclusive ballast or MissionControl. And as a MadScientist, he's able to climb the SuperWeight ladder if he really wants... and does, as TheStinger to the same arc shows.** Pretty much most of the regular cast. They're all pretty much very nice people, but each has a BerserkButton or two that when pressed can unleash the beast. Elliot, Ellen, and Nanase are among the most powerful and protective of others.* BiTheWay: Ellen considers herself bisexual homoromantic -- she can be physically attracted to women or men, but romantic relationships only seem possible with another woman. In general, changing straight people's sex [[TheMindIsAPlaythingOfTheBody may wreak havoc on their sexuality]], or they may adapt easily, there have been examples of both.* BigEater: Nanase and [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2010-05-10 Grace]]. And ''Series/ManVFood'' FictionalCounterpart in the next strip, but he doesn't count.%%* BiggerStick ZeroContextExample* BigNo: Played with [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2002-07-09 here]], [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2006-02-13 here]] , [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2012-06-26 here]] and [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=1493 here]].* BigWhat: [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2005-01-14 Everyone's reaction to Sarah being okay with going along with the theme of Grace's birthday party.]]* BigWordShout: [[http://www.egscomics.com/egsnp/?date=2009-11-12 "SKIRRRRT!"]]* BilingualBonus:** If you're willing to go [[http://www.ookii.org/egs/uryuom/ here]] to translate Uryuomoco.[[note]]actually a cipher upon English, and has been spelled "Uryuomocco" in-comic, the name decodes to "Alienese" or "Alienesse"[[/note]] A couple real examples with French and Japanese, though.*** "Verres" in Uryuomoco is "Bolloc" ([[DontExplainTheJoke he is]] a [[TheMenInBlack cover-up specialist]]). It's also the French word for "Glasses" (though technically it only refers to the lenses). *** Pretty much needed for [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2004-08-26 this comic]] to make much sense beyond "ominous dream involving the {{big bad}}."[[note]]Although, ironically, it has parts which the translator cannot translate entirely correctly, and at least one may be an error - although it should be noted that the text is canon while the translator is not, and the other may be an undocumented cluster rule.[[/note]]*** [[spoiler: [[BadassBoast It is time for the end of man. This master of fire shall inherit the Earth. My very presence eats away at your flesh...]]]]*** [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2010-10-29 In a later comic]], the Uryuomoco in the comic was shown translated. In the commentary, Dan stated that it was because he felt it was irresponsible to alienate readers who didn't know how to translate it.** Principal Verrückt's last name is German for "crazy".* BirthdayEpisode: A whole arc took place during Grace's birthday, with CharacterDevelopment for most of the main cast.* BishieSparkle: Justin, [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2010-11-22 here]].* {{Bishonen}}: Tedd isn't quite a classic bishie, but he is still both [[DudeLooksLikeALady androgynous]] enough and attractive enough when he takes his [[NerdGlasses glasses]] off to cause homophobic [[JerkJock bully]] Tony to [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2003-05-21 go into full-scale panic.]]** Also Noah, who makes straight guys see rainbows.* BizarreAlienBiology: Uryuom reproduction is very... [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2003-09-09 complicated]].* BlackEyesOfCrazy: Lord Tedd. [[spoiler:Tedd gets them when he uses the former's PowerFist]].* BlackEyesOfEvil: Elliot and Sarah display these [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2011-01-05 here]] to indicate extreme anger at Tedd.** Nanase, Ellen, and Grace aren't amused by Nanase's ex-almost-boyfriend interrupting their double date. [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2011-09-29 Could you tell?]]* BlandNameProduct: A "Swedekea" store. "Salty Crackers Comics" counts too; there's a regional comics chain around UsefulNotes/{{Chicago}} called "Graham Crackers". There's also the [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=914 American Cake]] movie, a reference to the movie Film/AmericanPie, but with the plot of Film/TheBradyBunchMovie.* BlasphemousPraise:-->'''Grace''': [[PopculturalOsmosisFailure Who's]] Creator/JossWhedon?-->'''Tedd''': ''[[CreatorWorship God]]''.-->'''Grace''': [[AmusingAlien Really?]]-->'''Tedd''': No. [[LampshadeHanging That was blasphemy.]]* BlatantBurglar:** The female French immortal is shown wearing this sort of outfit when proposing an [[http://egscomics.com/?date=2005-02-18 alternative to being invisible and intangible at Elliot's house.]] She never said it was a good idea.** One [[http://www.egscomics.com/sketchbook.php?id=857 sketchbook entry]] showed Ashley as a book thief, with a domino mask, an all-black outfit, and a ThiefBag with books falling out. This was inspired by a strip where she [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=2057 claimed to know all the security blind spots in the book store.]]* BlatantLies: Grace in [[http://www.egscomics.com/egsnp.php?id=400 this strip]].* BlessedWithSuck: Sure, Elliot and Ellen will get pretty sweet magic powers, but the PowerIncontinence (especially embarrassing for Elliot) means that for a while, life will be just a little crap for them.** In Elliot's case, it's not helped by people who've read too much ''Manga/RanmaOneHalf'' dumping buckets of water on him.** It was never really a problem for Ellen, who only had to shoot a couple beams every morning (and maybe after school just to be safe) and has already passed her PowerIncontinence phase. Elliot has to transform every six hours [[spoiler:although he might be [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=2184 over that now]]...]]* BlindingCameraFlash: As the title puts it, [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2005-08-24 "Dude, Like, Sarah Just TOTALLY Flashed Female Justin"]].* BluntYes: [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=1881 When Tedd discovers that]] AllMenArePerverts is less "complete nonsense" than "an exaggeration of the truth".-->'''Grace:''' I just said I know a bunch of guys who treat me like that. Sarah's dealt with guys like that, too. And Ellen. And ... well, I figure ''every'' girl has to deal with stuff like that.\\'''Tedd:''' But ... that's not okay! That ''sucks!''\\'''Grace:''' Yep.* BodyHorror: Pandora. [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2009-11-11 Oh GOD Pandora.]]** Turns out [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2010-04-09 Aberrations]] can be pretty freaking disturbing too.* BoobsOfSteel: Nanase, Ellen and (by extension) Female Elliot are the best physical fighters of the main cast, and they also have the largest chests.* BrainBleach: {{Invoked|Trope}} [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2010-10-29 here]]-->'''Tedd:''' Grace, can your antennae function as BrainBleach?* BreadEggsBreadedEggs: [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2012-08-13 here]].-->'''Elliot:''' He's doomed.\\'''Susan:''' He's an ass.\\'''Elliot:''' He's a doomed ass.* BreakTheCutie: Many times, especially Grace.** Believe it or not, resident DeadpanSnarker Susan as well. She was apparently a literal WideEyedIdealist before [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2010-05-31 this]] happened.* BrickJoke:** [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2009-11-19 November 19th]] is a callback to a comic from [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2003-07-10 six years before]].--->'''TheRant''': ''[[LampshadeHanging Furthest. Callback joke. EVER.]]''** The [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2008-07-02 product of Ellen's unhealthy imagination]] is [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2009-03-12 recalled]] later.** In another comic, Susan [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2010-05-26 explains]] "where the hell that sword came from" in a comic from [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2002-12-05 nearly eight years before]]. ** [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2010-04-19 Hammer]] [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2010-09-22 Joke]].** [[http://www.egscomics.com/sketchbook/?date=2005-12-09 REVIVE]] [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2002-01-24 THE]] [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2002-01-25 FUND!]] The fund was [[http://www.egscomics.com/sketchbook.php?id=785 finally funded in real life.]] ** Though it's a bit of stretch, "[[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2005-07-27 Harry Potter]] and [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2009-12-29 Stoned Sorcerer]]" still counts.** [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2002-02-13 After]] [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2002-03-27 nine years]], the [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2011-01-10 COAT OF SOLITUDE]] returns. ** [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2011-07-04 Vampiric Hat Double Brick]] with yet another TakeThat on top.** Another one is from [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2009-01-20 here]]. Carol, the news journalist, is told by her boss to find a plausible story, like Bigfoot or giant hogs. [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2011-10-27 I guess she'll]] [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2011-11-09 cover the current arc too.]]** Turns out Raven totally [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2012-02-09 does]] get Grace [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2011-12-01 apology ice cream]].** [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2007-01-17 January 2007]]: "You're suggesting that girls just casually [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2010-06-11 cuddle]] and [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2010-06-14 fall asleep]] together? Could you imagine Sarah doing that with Grace?" Three and a half years later, we don't need to imagine.** The silhouettes in the last panel of [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2012-11-21 this comic]] seem to be a setup for the ShoutOut gag in the last two panels of [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=1698 this one]] nearly a year later.** [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=1732 I am in]] [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=2091 search of Avalon.]]* BrokenBird: Susan, [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2010-08-05 but getting better]] lately, once she got [[AngstNuke much angst]] out of her system in one big FreakOut.* BrokenMasquerade: Breaks on a semi-regular basis to individuals. Later on, it showed more cracks during the Sister 2 storyline and the cracks grew wider during and after the New and Old Flames storyline. [[spoiler: The tipping point was Pandora using the mechanics of her forced reset to ''force every Immortal onto the physical plane and cast a spell that wiped out over 99% of the global Aberration population'', and the spell was visible for miles around and had multiple points of origin. The Will of Magic outright states that even without the previous incidents, that one event would have completely shattered the Masquerade on its own]].* BroughtDownToBadass: [[spoiler:Nanase, even without her crazy powerful magic, is still a very experienced martial artist who can bench press 160 pounds [[note]]which is vastly above average for a 16 year old girl[[/note]].]]* BroughtDownToNormal: [[spoiler:Nanase, after "burning up" her magic in order to defeat Abraham. This is, however, temporary.]]* BullyHunter: Elliot Dunkel has fought bullies in the past to protect their victims, including both Justin and Tedd. He lapses back from time to time when a friend of his is bullied nearby, though circumstances always manage to deal with the problem before Elliot can get started.** Gerald as well, sort of. He wears gothy outfits and makeup specifically to provoke bullies into picking fights with him.--> '''Tedd:''' He sounds like a venus fly trap that catches bullies. That's ''awesome''.* BunnyEarsLawyer: Resident MadScientist Tedd is quite brilliant... it's just difficult to recognize when his field of expertise is so deeply tied in with his many quirks.-->'''Susan''': Tedd[...]has become very responsible with his transformation technology.\\'''Tedd''': Hey guys!\\'''Susan''': Tedd, you're a catgirl.\\'''Tedd''': I am? ''Oh!'' Right. Forgot about that.\\'''Susan''': ''Adequately'' responsible.* ButNotTooForeign: Tedd is part Japanese and part Caucasian.* CallASmeerpARabbit: Jeremy, despite being a weird cat-hedghog hybrid, is just referred to as a kitty.* CallBack: ** [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2002-02-13 Nothing can penetrate]] [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2011-01-10 the coat of solitude.]]** [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2003-07-10 Officially, hair does]] [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2009-11-19 spontaneously change colour.]]** [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2013-06-27 Half the school]] has seen Nanase [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2005-04-19 floating around]].** "[[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=1582 She's family.]] [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=2285 Help her.]]"* CallingYourAttacks: What else would you expect from "Anime Style Martial Arts"? Elliot and Ellen do this on several occasions -- in GratuitousJapanese, no less. {{Lampshade|Hanging}}d when Elliot wanted a do-over after he forgot. And [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2004-02-18 mocked]] once.* TheCameo: Matt and Rat were two characters from one of Dan's previous comics in junior high, who made a handful of appearances in the beginning of the story. [[NoFourthWall They're the only characters who are aware that they're in a comic strip,]] though everyone else just treats them like they're nuts, and WordOfGod says that they were eventually treated for their shared psychosis and are now productive members of society.* CampStraight: AmbiguousGender Noah, (who is FriendsWithBenefits with Melissa, and who once describes himself as being so pretty that it makes straight men "see rainbows." Dan later admitted that Noah is one of two male characters that he [[AmbiguousGender uses female posing models]] for (Tedd being the other).* CanNotTellALie: [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2008-06-02 Abraham]].* CanonDiscontinuity: Anything to to with Matt and Rat, ThoseTwoGuys in early strips who had NoFourthWall and were {{Unknown Rival}}s to Elliot in a battle only they acknowledged for control of the comic.* CantGetInTroubleForNuthin: Ellen, in her first separate appearance.* CantedCamera: Abe's sleep bomb causes this for the next page, reflecting how the spell dazed him.* CaptainSuperhero: Spoofed when they tried to think of a better superhero name than "Cheerleadra."* CartoonBomb: the spider vampire uses these.* CasanovaWannabe: T.C., aka "[[SpellMyNameWithAThe The Playah]]."* CastOfSnowflakes: Dan's had to come up with lots of new designs for extras in later arcs. * CatGirl: In various ways, ranging from the [[MeaningfulName appropriately-named]] Catalina, to Ellen's online persona, to Grace's werecat form and the variants thereof to normal form of Nioi and Kaoli (they're skunks, but this looks close enough). Not to mention Elliot's cat''boy'' form....** At some point in the backstory, Sarah [[NoodleIncident was stuck as one for a day]] thanks to Tedd being careless with the TF gun.** ...and [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2012-01-10 Tedd]], of course.** And now, [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2012-10-23 Sarah again]], this time on-panel.* CatScare: Parodied and {{Justified|Trope}} at once -- Jeremy defending his territory is not a critter to be trifled with.** Well, unless you can project your spirit energy into a [[SomeKindOfForceField force field]].* CatapultNightmare: A couple of {{aversion}}s/{{subversion}}s and two PlayedStraight examples.* CatchPhrase:** "Sexy-awesome!"** Also "Za?(!)" on occasion.** "[[LetUsNeverSpeakOfThisAgain And we shall never speak of this again.]]" or any variation thereof** "Yee-Yup."** Catalina yells "JACKASSES!" enough for it to be one.** "...thinking about baseball."* CerebusRetcon: Dan is famous for this {{trope}}. Before this series developed CerebusSyndrome, many hyper-zany elements were present in the story, and now that the series has become more serious, Dan is having fun going back and deconstructing lots of the ridiculousness of the earlier strips. The self-deprecatingly titled "[[Film/ThePhantomMenace Hammerchlorians]]" arc is devoted to one particular instance of this.%%* CerebusRollercoaster ZeroContextExample* CerebusSyndrome: The Painted Black arc was the turning point. WordOfGod states that he is going to attempt to undo/turn this down in upcoming arcs. Ironically, the "Bringing Silly Back" mega-arc is (self-admittedly) more serious in some ways than previous arcs. That being said, the story has never reached the heights of seriousness of Painted Black, even the antagonists have delved into absurdity and humor and generally have sympathetic aspects, unlike Damien. The obvious authorial intent is more mature storylines in substance rather than just being edgy.* ChainPain: In his original appearances, Hedge wielded a chain as a weapon -- specifically, the very chain that had once bound him in captivity in the laboratory that created him. Very symbolic. Very quickly forgotten, too. Only really appeared in one scene, if memory serves, though Grace references it again later.* CharacterDevelopment: One of the strong sides of EGS. It's [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2004-07-07 rather chaotic]] and detail-saving, but profound.* CharacterisationMarchesOn: Goes hand and hand with ArtEvolution and CerebusSyndrome as the author grows from an adolescent to an adult.** Susan is an especially notable example, as she went from a StrawFeminist who frequently harangues and insults other characters for no good reason, to being a brusque and antisocial but fairly polite girl who has genuine complaints about the sexism she sees around her. [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=243 Even her own author is shocked at how different her behavior used to be.]]--> '''Dan''': Seriously, I tend to skip my own huge blocks of text in these old comics on account of me already knowing the key points and being plenty busy, and after I wrote about Susan [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=229 apologizing to Greg,]] someone asked "what about apologizing to Nanase for calling her that thing?" My genuine response was "Susan called Nanase WHAT?!" * CharacterFilibuster: Tedd, on occasion.-->'''Elliot''' and '''Sarah:''' (a synchronized {{Facepalm}}) ''[[OhCrap Aw crap!]]''\\'''Susan:''' [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2008-05-05 What? Did I say something wrong?]]\\'''Tedd:''' They've heard the rant to follow before.** Elliot mixes this with a BerserkButton when [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=1758 homophobia comes up]].* ChekhovsGag: In an early gag, before it was established that there was a {{Masquerade}}, Nanase is floating through the hallways only to be seen by a physics teacher. [[spoiler: Later, Diane reveals that this habit of hers clued her into the fact that Nanase has magic.]]* ChekhovsGun: A lot of 'em. It got to the point that Shive redesigned a character who would have had certain "suspicious" traits (such as an eyepatch) specifically so that nobody would sit around waiting for those to be explained.** Possibly {{lampshaded}} in the commentary for [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2010-05-12 this strip]]: "On the plus side, should the fact that there's a photo of Grace on the wall of a pancake place where a TV show episode was filmed ever come up again, the high-res version is already drawn." ''Definitely'' lampshaded in [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2008-07-07 this page]]'s commentary.* ChekhovsGunman: Hedge, among others. Noah was even worse -- he showed up, gothic [[UsefulNotes/{{Fonts}} font]] and all, and then... completely vanished. For years.* ChekhovsSkill:** Elliot's [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=87 Tamashii Gekido]] was later [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=243 used by Ellen on the goo]]** It took nearly eight years to explain how Susan made a sword appear back during the Sister arc.* TheChessmaster: Pandora. Dan even says in [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2009-10-03 one commentary]] that she's ''not'' someone you want to play at chess. Her desire to manipulate events rather than getting directly involved actually [[JustifiedTrope makes sense]] for two reasons: the other immortals get cheesed off if one of them does anything more than assist people on the physical plane, and she prefers things to be as unpredictable as possible (Chaos is literally her middle name, that she gave herself). Doing everything herself would either earn her severe retribution or just make things too boring.* ChildrenForcedToKill: [[spoiler:Susan and Nanase]] when, during a class-trip to France, they wind up being targeted by an aberration. He's not technically human anymore, but he LOOKS human -- mostly -- and while [[spoiler:Nanase]] does most of the fighting, it's [[spoiler:Susan]] who ends up having to kill him -- with an ax, even. Unsurprisingly, she was somewhat traumatized, and the storyline that featured the flashback culminated in an Immortal decrying the irresponsibility of the two French Immortals who originally equipped the girls for the battle, while giving them no apparent alternative save dying at the hands of the aberration. Apparently, they could have simply informed the French Government's anti-supernatural-creature-squad instead, but elected to drag two teen girls into a battle in order to 'recruit them for the fight against evil'. OmniscientMoralityLicense, anyone? * ChildSoldier: After a monster attacked [[spoiler:Susan]] in Paris, two Immortals empowered her and [[spoiler:Nanase]], and instructed how to kill it, though it's implied – and in the Hammerchlorians arc, confirmed – that they could have gone to an experienced local magic-user instead. [[spoiler:Susan]]... didn't take it well.* ChivalrousPervert: Tedd. There are numerous examples of this, but possibly the best one is the first time he meets Grace. When he asks what Grace is wearing under her trench coat and she says she "Nothing," he quickly welcomes her into the house in the most over-the-top way possible, but the first thing he does once she's inside is offer her some of his clothes to wear.* ChuckCunninghamSyndrome: WordOfGod states he is attempting to avert this. The author did finally properly introduce Noah, a character who was first mentioned (and then ignored) ''6 years beforehand''.** The best example in this series was likely Sensei Greg. Despite having played a fairly decent role in early arcs, he was reduced to a brief cameo in Painted Black, and only got a short, non-plot critical scene in the party arc before it got into full swing. However, this has been averted as of 8/18/2010, which marks Sensei Greg's re-introduction to the storyline.** A more infamous example would be Lord Tedd, who was set up for a long time as a potential BigBad for the series but both him and his plotline quickly became buried amongst plot twists and never seen again. * CityOfWeirdos: Moperville, although the citizenry are a little more noticing than the average example of this trope.* ClarkKenting:** Tedd can fool Will and Gill without even meaning it -- they call him an impostor when they see him without his glasses. On the other hand, those are really big glasses, they have never seen him without them and they seem not to know what glasses are (instead assuming they ''are'' his eyes) [[FridgeBrilliance which would make sense if, as shapeshifters, they never need glasses since they can shapeshift to correct or modify their vision]].** {{Exaggerated|Trope}} with an incredibly lame (but apparently successful) government campaign to hide the presence of aliens on earth by such methods as having them wear T-shirts that say "Homo Sapiens."** In the New And Old Flames storyline, [[spoiler:Elliot got a superheroine form spell, which comes with its own alter ego form]] which seems to allow this trope. However, it is subverted in that [[spoiler:in the form Elliot actually [[BlindWithoutEm requires glasses]] and his speech patterns are made mild-mannered.]] This means he doesn't really need to engage in ClarkKenting consciously; [[spoiler:the form does it for him.]]* CloningBlues: Played depressingly straight at first. When Ellen was accidentally created, she freaked out, with good reason. She had all of Elliot's memories, but suffered LossOfIdentity since she could never get back his old life, and all of his friends were now essentially strangers she only knew about secondhand. She was permanently stuck in female form, something the original Elliot was so desperate to escape that he resorted to using a dangerous magical artifact he clearly didn't understand rather than risk spending (at most) a few more weeks in that form. Ellen also had reason to believe she might have less than a month to live, and feared she'd spend that time locked up in a research facility as a test subject. She went a little crazy, and as a coping mechanism, tried being an EvilTwin for a while, which only made her more miserable. However, this trope was subverted in the long run. Ellen learned her fears of an imminent demise or being locked up for study had no basis in reality. Elliot's friends welcomed her warmly and treated her like a normal individual, rather than just an accidental female copy of someone they knew. Elliot became fiercely protective of her, treating her as a cross between a little sister and a daughter, rather than the EvilTwin she had tried to be. Even Elliot's parents accepted her surprisingly easily, given the circumstances. Ellen eventually developed her own personality and became a major character in her own right, as well as an unprecedented solution to an earlier LoveTriangle.* ClueEvidenceAndASmokingGun: How Susan figures out that Elliot transformed into a girl. The way she does it is a bit BatDeduction (Elliot lampshades this).--> [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=956 "How the hell did you figure that out?"]]* CobwebOfDisuse: There's a dojo that's [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2010-08-25 disused]] but lacking cobwebs... then the [[SideStoryBonusArt sketchbook]] [[{{Lampshaded}} explains]] [[http://www.egscomics.com/sketchbook/?date=2010-08-26 why]].* CodeName: Grace originally didn't have a real name, but went by the code name 'Shade Tail'. 'Grace' was the name her Dr Sciuridae gave her, [[spoiler:[[ReplacementGoldfish after the dead daughter]] who had been her gene-parent]].** Both for Grace and general Tail [[AlternateUniverse variants]], Tail as the last name is ''not'' arbitrary, [[spoiler:it's the family name, since their Uryuom parent's name translates to Tail from Uryuomoco]].* ColorCodedMultiplayer: When Nanase creates one shadow copy of herself, the copy is colored with one of the primary additive colors (red, green, or blue), while Nanase is colored with the corresponding primary subtractive color (cyan, magenta, or yellow, respectively). This actually [[ShownTheirWork makes sense from a scientific standpoint]]: The real Nanase is absorbing the color the fake one is producing.* ColorFailure: [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2005-08-26 Nanase]] has one at the party when Ellen goes to get her change of clothes.** [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=1880 Tedd]] experiences this as well.* CombatPragmatist: Unlike his [[TeethClenchedTeamwork "fellow"]] aberration [[PlayingWithFire Gul]][[UnskilledButStrong let]], Scarf resorts to [[spoiler:a regular handgun, [[HandCannon albeit a large one]], to take down Adrian Raven]].--> '''Scarf:''' Fancy magic... Fire and noise... All outdone... By humanity's toys.* ComeBackToBedHoney: [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=178 An alternate female Elliot]] knows the best way to take advantage of alternate Tedd's father being out of town. * ComingOutStory: Justin's, [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2006-06-21 related to Susan during Grace's party]], though it had [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2005-08-16 previously been shown without explanation]]. [[spoiler:Nanase, on the other hand, comes out ''during'' the party, though by then everyone there that night except Tedd already knew. For a while she was only out to the people who were at the party, though.]]* ConfusedBystanderInterview: There's [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2011-06-08 one of these]], complete with [[SayingSoundEffectsOutLoud sound effects]], BuffySpeak, and general [[GenkiGirl hyperactiveness]]. Subverted in that she's actually not a bystander. [[spoiler:''She's'' the superhero that she allegedly saw. And [[GenderBender she's not even a "she".]]]]* CongruentMemory: Tedd is supposedly better at cooking while female. His argument is that he usually cooks for himself when his father is away on business, which is also when he's most likely to spend a lot of time gender-bent. He seems fully aware of the absurdity of this, however, admitting that it's probably all in his head. Doesn't stop him from doing it.* ConvectionSchmonvection: Averted. The "fire monster" summons in the New and Old Flames arc aren't really made of fire because they would incinerate themselves. They just look like they're on fire and have fire-related vulnerabilities. It's a beginner's mistake when summoning certain monsters to just go with what looks cool instead of what actually works.* CoolButInefficient: Invoked. While building a deck for the card tournament at the comic shop, Tedd mentally declares one of the cards to be "not efficient, but pretty damn cool".* CooldownHug: Tedd invokes this by [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=1758 having Grace hug a very frustrated Elliot]].* CouldHaveAvoidedThisPlot:** Ellen's creation was eventually revealed as completely avoidable twice over; first when it's revealed that Tedd has a device that can gauge the end result of a transformation beam (the whole thing started when he claimed to zap himself to test the beam because he ''doesn't'' have such a device and the safety for the gun got stuck) and just likes to turn himself into the girl. The second is when Tedd's father reveals that when he turned from his business trip, he would've brought more than enough parts with him to repair the transformation gun, meaning that Elliot would've only been stuck as a girl for two days instead of a month (he left a note on the fridge explaining this, but the message never got across because of his [[TheIllegible "ink blot handwriting."]])** Tara suspected Elliot of hiding Andrea because an immortal told her so, and she's from an alternate universe where immortals CannotTellALie. However, that's not true in ''this'' universe, which Andrea had actually told her earlier. Elliot and Nanase are not amused to learn this.* CovertPervert:** [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2006-01-16 Justin]], of all the crew, is the first to wonder if using the TF gun on a female results in a male form with generous... er... gentlemanly parts. ** Sarah, too. At the very least, she seems to have [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2003-04-15 lots of]] [[http://www.egscomics.com/egsnp/?date=2009-10-29 romantic]] [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2003-08-20 and possibly sexual]] [[http://www.egscomics.com/sketchbook.php?id=843 (Possibly?)]] [[note]]Though that is a Sketchbook page and not necessarily canon[[/note]] [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2011-01-05 fantasies]]** Agent Cranium has [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=1695 an interesting ability.]]* CrazyPrepared: Mr. Verres' party chaperon presentation.* CreatingLife: PlayedForLaughs -- "[[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=8 Our goo kinda came to life...]]," but later revealed to be [[spoiler:a monster sent on purpose from an AlternateUniverse]]. Also, [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2002-02-24 in a filler strip]] ''soap bubbles'' came to life as {{Pacman}}-like critters... and promptly attacked Tedd.* CreatorCameo: [[http://egscomics.com/?date=2010-09-17 This]] strip (panel 6) has Dan Shive in a comic shop. Note that this is different from the AuthorAvatar character that appears in some non-canon strips.* CringeComedy: [[ButchLesbian Catalina's]] plan to [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=1742 defuse rumors]] [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=1743 that Elliot]] [[MistakenForGay is gay]]. [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=1741 That's]] [[SarcasmMode an airtight argument, alright.]] -->'''Sarah''': It's like a train wreck, and I can't look away...* CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass: Mr. Verres and Agent Wolf. In early comics, the two characters were pretty goofy and usually played for laughs. That changes a bit later on:** We've gotten hints for some time that Mr. Verres is a very prominent figure in the paranormal area (possibly even enough to qualify him as the BigGood of the EGS world), and his CrowningMomentOfAwesome near the end of the Abraham encounter demonstrates that he has enough skill with magic that you ''really'' don't want to mess with him or anyone he cares about.** The encounter with Abraham has also shown that, when he's not obsessed with aliens, Agent Wolf is very professional, and Raven has identified him as one of the most powerful wizards in the Midwestern United States.* CrushBlush: Both in relation to [[spoiler: Elliot]].** Susan has one [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=1742 here]].** Ashley has one [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=1733 here]].* CurseCutShort:** [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2007-04-15 Agent Wolf is such a]]--** An earlier example from the Goo: [[AC:[[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2002-10-14 PROCEEDING WITH A PREPARED SET OF CURSE WORDS IN ORDER TO IMITATE ANGER. DAMN. CRAP. F]]--]]** Elliot explaining Justin's coming-out.--->'''Elliot:''' [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2011-01-24 He was MISERABLE and DEPRESSED and it was ALL BECAUSE OF THAT STUPID-]]** [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2012-09-24 "Well, f-"]] [[WordOfGod Word Of God]] alleges that Justin was going to say "fudge". * CurtainsMatchTheWindow: Seen with [[http://www.egscomics.com/sketchbook.php?id=761 Susan]], [[http://www.egscomics.com/sketchbook.php?id=751 Elliot]], [[http://www.egscomics.com/sketchbook.php?id=743 Ellen]], and [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=1824 Tedd]].* CuteApproachesCamera: Done so [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=301 here]].* DamselInDistress: During the "Painted Black" arc, Grace becomes one when she's captured while infiltrating Damien's base... at least until Damien makes her [[BewareTheNiceOnes really, really mad]].** Zigzagged by Elliot, who ends his stint as a DistressedDude by genderbending his way out of his restraints.* DangerousForbiddenTechnique: Magic apparently drains users at various rates. Spells too powerful to handle may overtax even well-trained magic users, possibly even [[BroughtDownToNormal removing their magic for months at at a time.]] * DarkHorseVictory: [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=1991 Some Guy wins the card game tournament.]]* TheDarkSide: [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=133 Early on, when the Goo is first created]].-->'''The Principal:''' So you're saying you ''can't'' make me an army of goo-based hall monitors?\\'''Tedd:''' Even if I could, I would not give into the dark side so easily.* DawsonCasting: Tedd {{invoke|dTrope}}s this in an EGS:NP strip by claiming to be twenty-one outside of continuity due to ComicBookTime. Grace counters the gap ''might'' be up to a year, making Tedd eighteen. She then goes on to say that it doesn't matter anyways since none of them are likely to look any different before they turn 30. Though the revelation that he may be under the drinking age causes Tedd to excuse himself so that he can dispose of a keg in the fridge before his dad finds it.* DaydreamSurprise: [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2007-05-23 Here]], [[http://www.egscomics.com/sketchbook/?date=2007-05-26 with hints]], and far more emphatically [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2008-06-09 here]].** This has become easier to notice thanks to Dan's consistency in displaying 'imaginary' panels with rounded corners. The last example portrays this perfectly.* DeadlyUpgrade: [[spoiler:Nanase's [[http://www.elgoonishshive.com/?date=2009-10-03 Angel spell]] very nearly became this.]]* DeadpanSnarker:** Mr. Raven, sometimes [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2002-12-10 Susan]], [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2007-01-08 Mr. Verres]] and [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2005-06-27 Elliot]]. Ellen in nearly too many instances to cite. Tedd [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2007-02-05 can do it]] when he wants to.** Definitely Susan. [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2010-07-26 Dying is usually inconvenient.]] Lampshaded [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2010-08-05 here.]]** [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2004-05-28 This guy.]]* DeathGlare:** "[[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2005-01-10 If Looks Could Kill...]]"** Hello, Lucy. [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2008-01-08 Ellen is just happy to see you]], that's all.** Nanase [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2010-09-06 can do this]] too.** Tedd gets hit with a rather scary [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2011-01-05 double whammy]].** Elliot [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2011-01-24 gives a wonderful first impression to]] Melissa.** Gerald gets a triple dose from [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2011-09-29 Grace, Ellen, and Nanase]].* DefaultSettingSyndrome: In-universe -- [[http://www.egscomics.com/egsnp/?date=2005-06-14 Newspaper arc]] "Dan in the {{MUD}}."* DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment: [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2008-07-04 "You could always get hugs, have a second player for video games, get hugs, have help with chores, get hugs..."]]** Not to mention [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2010-10-25 Dan's commentary here]]* DeusExMachina: Subverted or maybe deconstructed mildly with the Dewitchery Diamond. It seems like a plot device at first, but then it solves it in a way completely different from the way everyone expected, and caused more problems than it solved, in the form of KnightTemplar Abraham.** Magic is stated to have a flair for the dramatic. The characters are actually GenreSavvy enough to expect magic to act this way.* DidntSeeThatComing: Anybody who forgets he's fighting a wizard after having to overcome his spells just to get there ''deserves'' to be [[spoiler:[[MacrossMissileMassacre spammed]] by [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2009-07-04 exploding crows]]]] on the spot.* DidntThinkThisThrough: [[spoiler:Abraham]]. Almost ''everything'' he did at all.* DiggingYourselfDeeper:** Abraham's diplomatic efforts. He doesn't tongue-slip, but still manages to annoy one more hell out of [[spoiler:Adrian Raven]] with ''every phrase'', starting from the second.** [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2005-08-26 Tedd]], in his usual style.** [[http://www.egscomics.com/egsnp.php?id=206 Much later]], Tedd still has the habit, but seems to be a lot better about ShuttingUpNow.** [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2010-04-23 Oh, Elliot]]...** Nanase [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=1298 here]]* DirectionlessDriver: Referenced after Ellen's "birth," as she deluded herself into thinking she was Elliot's EvilTwin.-->'''Elliot:''' As a woman, she might use tactics that we as men wouldn't even cross our minds.\\''[[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=196 cut to Ellen asking a gas pump attendant for directions]]''* DirtyBusiness* DirtyOldMan: {{Averted}}, but {{lampshaded}}, [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2002-07-20 here]].* DistantReactionShot: SpaceIsNoisy now -- courtesy of [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2008-05-07 Catalina]] and [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2011-12-09 Raven]].** [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=1632 And it's beginning to bug the neighbors.]]* DistractedByMyOwnSexy:** A V5-ed Susan gets distracted by her own sudden-sexy in [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2003-07-03 this strip]]. [[{{justified|Trope}} Understandable]], as in addition to the [[HelloNurse appearance]] this form has a rather... unusual hormonal status, which she wanted to experience in the first place. She stood enthralled until InsultedAwake... and only from the second attempt.** Genderbent Sarah also has one of these moments [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2006-01-09 here.]] --->NO! BAD Sarah! Stop thinking of yourself as a sex object!!* DistractedByTheSexy: It turns out that Tara the Griffon had been told that [[spoiler: Immortals on this side of the world were capable of lying, unlike the ones they know of]], which would have been very useful to remember when [[spoiler:she tried to kill Elliot because she trusted a local Immortal's word over his]]. However, her girlfriend is cute when she's being nerdy. (For instance, when she's talking about little-known facts about Immortals.)* DistressedDude: Elliot for most of the Painted Black arc.* TheDitz: Grace on occasion. She learns VERY quickly, however.** Elliot in his "party girl" form.* DitzyGenius: The reason for Grace's [[TheDitz Ditzy]] characteristics. [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2007-02-07 Both her ability to absorb information and her lack of common sense are impressive.]]* DoesNotLikeMen: Susan started out like this, firmly believing that AllMenArePerverts. A major part of her CharacterDevelopment is moving past this, acknowledging that most males she knows aren't that bad (even the genuinely perverted Tedd has redeeming qualities). She got this from her mother, who extended to issue of her former husband's affair to all men. Susan had to [[AccidentalTruth lie]] that Justin was gay so she'd let him stay over, if only in the hopes that his homosexuality would rub off on Susan. ** Catalina and Diane are both stated to automatically assume any man is a jerk until he proves otherwise. The former is a lesbian while the latter is not only straight, but a GoldDigger. * DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything: When Ellen [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2011-09-20 yells at Tedd]] for never apologizing for the mistakes that lead to her creation, his reply makes it sound more along the lines of an unplanned pregnancy, also tying in with the RunningGag about Tedd being Ellen's father. May also double as a HeartwarmingMoment for some.-->'''Tedd:''' If you're the result of my mistakes, then they were the '''''best mistakes I ever made!'''''** Also, the discussions about transformation can sometimes sound like it's being used as a metaphor for sex (or possibly kinky sex). Especially when the consent issue is brought up.* DoingInTheScientist: At first, the plot was fairly silly, and all transformation weirdness was due to the Transformation Gun, an invention of [[TeenGenius Tedd's]]. Then it was revealed to come from Uryuom technology. Then ''that'' was revealed to be based on magic, a fundamental form of energy which had already cropped up in earlier storylines. * DoingInTheWizard: In a way. Magic has actually become ''more'' prevalent after the Sister 2 arc, but it's also become less silly and more systematic. See CerebusRetcon above. * DontTryThisAtHome: The commentary for [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2011-05-06 this]] comic goes out of its way to inform readers of the potential hazards of using a sleeper hold. ** Also in the commentary for [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2010-06-11 this]] one.** Dan does it a lot, actually.* DoNotGoGentle: The reason Ellen raised hell at the school in "Sister", is because she thought she had less than a month to live.* DopeSlap:** [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2010-11-01 Invoked]].** You normally wouldn't expect someone like Grace to perform this on anyone, [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2009-05-19 but when your friend's been acting like a dummy...]]* DoppelgangerSpin** Nanase Kitsune*** [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=85 She creates two images of herself while in a demonstration martial arts match with her boyfriend Elliott]]. Each of the images she creates has different colored hair (green and blue). She uses them to distract him so she can make a sneak attack from the rear. Elliot complains that he hates "these trendy 'which one is real?' illusion attacks".*** She uses a variation on this early on while fighting a giant blob of goo. In a subversion, ''none'' of the ones fighting the goo are the real Nanase; the real Nanase is rescuing Ellen while the goo is distracted by the duplicates.** Magus, while "powerless", later [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2005-06-13 used this]] to run away from more or less godlike beings.* DoubleStandardAbuseFemaleOnMale: {{Discussed|Trope}} by [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2013-04-22 Elliot and Sarah]] after [[spoiler:they break up]].* DramaticIrony: During the Sister 3 arc, Magus still believes, not unreasonably, that Pandora is a monster and that he needs to stop her. What he doesn't know however is [[spoiler: she underwent a lot of CharacterDevelopment and is [[TheAtoner making up for her actions]], culminating in a HeroicSacrifice where she kills Aberrations in spite of the action being in violation of Immortal law and forcing a reset]].* DramaticStutter: Tony [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2003-05-21 stutters his name]] when confronted with Grace in Tedd's form without Tedd's glasses to hide Tedd's feminine eyes.* DramaticThunder: Happens whenever Nanase's mother says something emphatic. Played seriously the first time, and then for laughs in one of the Q&A comics.* DramaticWind: Susan is particularly good at it. Tedd too as of late.* DreamSequence: An entire StoryArc of them, each revealing something personal about one of the main characters.* DroppedGlasses: ...revealing that the character [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2002-05-21 doesn't really need them]].* DudeLooksLikeALady:** Tedd's face is so feminine that he grows his hair out just so he can blame ''that'' on why he looks so much like a girl when his glasses are off.** [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2010-03-29 Noah,]] though he seems completely fine with it.-->"Regardless of which gender he is at the time, I use the female [plastic] artist model for Tedd. And Noah, now that I think about it."[[http://www.egscomics.com/sketchbook/?date=2012-04-11]] * DysfunctionalFamily: Not only has Tedd's mom gone to Europe and abandoned her family, but when Nanase's mom is asked about her sister, [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2010-01-28 the answer]] sounds much like Pandora-Chaos at her worst.* {{Eagleland}}: TheGovernment isn't that bad. Even TheMenInBlack (though they have [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2011-05-09 their moments]]). But ''[[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2008-05-26 tourists]]''...* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: ** Early in the comic Elliot and Nanase share a rather overtly sexual relationship, with the two even having a tradition of making out after sparing matches. This becomes a rather odd point later on, when Elliot is revealed to be borderline sexually repressed, and even Nanase seems a lot more reserved (of course, this might just be in comparison to her new girlfriend, Ellen, who is a lot more open and flirtatious). Recent interactions between Elliot and Ashley seem to be reaffirming Elliot as overtly sexual, insinuating his situation with Sarah was actually more out of character for him due to the two not realizing their feelings for each other were deeply platonic, not romantic. ** While it was always insinuated people could simply be more lax about their magic use before it started getting unwanted media attention, some of the magic use in the early comics was pretty oddly overt. Most of all was probably Nanase, who used to openly use blatant magic in public (she regularly levitated through the crowded hallways of her school, to the point where a joke was made that the Physics Teachers have a pet peeve against her). Even weirder, ''after'' magic gets exposure, almost no one thinks of confronting Nanase about her magic use, in spite of using it publicly in her school for possibly years. * EatingTheEyeCandy: While not hunky, Sarah ends up considering it [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2006-01-09 during the Party arc]]. The object? Herself. ItMakesSenseInContext, really.* EducationMama: Nanase's mother.* EldritchAbomination: Two of them to date. First off, [[spoiler:Pandora looks like this whenever she's not a CreepyChild or adult woman]]. Then there's [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2010-04-09 this ... thing]] [[spoiler:although WordOfGod - and, later, the comic itself - states that [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=1716 the latter used to be human]].]]** And also whatever the hell this [[http://www.elgoonishshive.com/?date=2013-01-22 "whale" thing is that Tedd encounters]].* EleventhHourSuperpower: Three times. One is {{Justified|Trope}} in expansion, another is justified in previous development, and the last one was built up over more than two years so that it was bound to appear and ''[[PersonalityPowers could not]]'' be anything less than Summon "OhCrap."* ElSpanishO: The "El" in the name of the comic.* EmbarrassingFirstName: Tiffany Susan Pompoms.* EmbarrassingMiddleName: Tedd ''Drew'' Verres isn't such a bad name, but he makes a big deal out of it. [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2006-03-06 Middle Names are Always Fun!]]* TheEmpath: Uryuom (and greater chimera) have empathic abilities they use instead of pheromones, as well as low-grade telepathy. Both are related to antennae.* EmptyPilesOfClothing: Greg [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2002-07-17 stumbles onto a pile]] after charging into Tedd's house to protect Grace.* EnhanceButton: Averted.** In [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2003-01-06 this comic]], zooming in on a photo and using the brightness command results in visible pixels and artifact.** Discussed in the commentary of [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2010-11-05 this comic]], including a jab at CSI's usage of this trope.--->Of course, if this was CSI, some dude would magically multiply the resolution of the image, clean it up, and get the license plate of a nearby car from a reflection in Elliot's pupil.* EnlightenmentSuperpowers: How Sensei Greg created Anime-Style Martial Arts.* EpiphanyTherapy: Lampshaded. Tedd gets over his [[TransEqualsGay fear of being called gay for liking Grace when she's gender bent]] long enough to kiss [[CharacterizationTags guy!Grace]], but Grace is quick to point out that just recognizing he has a hangup isn't enough to instantly make it go away.* EspeciallyZoidberg: [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2008-04-21 Susan drops one of these.]]* EvenTheGirlsWantHer: Female Variant Number 5 is meant to cause this. * EvenTheGuysWantHim: Discussed. After [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2011-01-24 the furious look]] [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2011-01-26 Elliot gave Melissa]], Noah tries to get out of him what was that about:-->'''Noah:''' Is it jealousy? I have been told I could make straight men see rainbows.* EveryoneCanSeeIt: Elliot and Susan have become far closer to each other than they realize and pretty much everyone, including Sarah, ostensibly Elliot's girlfriend, notices it. Sarah herself would be all for it if Elliot and Susan got together, because it's become clear to her that Elliot isn't even really ''functioning'' as her boyfriend.** Even ''Tensaided'' thought that [[spoiler: [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=1533 Susan and Elliot were a couple]]]]. It's gotten to the point that [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2013-04-23 even the in-universe fandom for their video reviews is shipping them.]]* EverythingsBetterWithPrincesses: Apparently, going by her Aura and abilities, Nanase would be a princess in another world. Apparently the norm there are MagicalGirlWarrior RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething.* EvenEvilHasStandards:** [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2009-11-11 Even Magus]] [[spoiler:won't help Chaos ruin Verres to just to kill Abraham… [[ThePlan just to punish Raven for being a disobedient son]]]]. Though Magus hasn't yet been clarified as "good" or "evil", he had been antagonising Ellen through the arc.** Also, during ''Painted Black'', Hedge did everything in his power ''not'' to bring women back to Damien, knowing that he only wanted them for breeding.** All aberrations are TheSociopath, but unlike one of his fellow mercenaries, one retains enough humanity to think [[ImAHumanitarian cannibalism]] is disgusting and is enough of a PragmaticVillain to not want to draw attention via killing more people than necessary.* EveryoneIsBi: This didn't seem to be true at first, but ultimately, of the main eight, only [[spoiler:Justin and Nanase]] appear to have an uncomplicated gender preference. From the beginning, Ellen was bi and Grace wasn't exactly straight; although any male character turned female will be attracted to men and vice-versa, [[spoiler:that's a much greater part of Elliot's life]] (although that means any homosexual character transformed into the opposite gender will actually technically be considered heterosexual while in that form); [[spoiler:Tedd, Sarah, and Elliot]] slowly come to realize that they're attracted to both sexes regardless of form; and Susan comes to realize she's [[spoiler:an exclusive voyeur, whose subjects could be of either gender]]. Furthermore, more recent important characters, such as Noah and Ashley, seem similarly difficult to label.** Justified: The TransformationRay wreaks havoc upon a person's sexuality.* EvilCannotComprehendGood: Sirleck cannot understand why [[OurElvesAreBetter Raven]] would [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=2190 do charity work for military veterans.]]--> '''Sirleck:''' What's the point of living for centuries if you're going to let your heart bleed? ** [[JustifiedTrope Justified]]: The process of becoming an Aberration removes one's empathy.* EvilLaugh: Along with PsychoticSmirk, played to the hilt with Raven, though he could just be being creepy and weird.** Definitely just being weird, considering he's [[spoiler:one of the series' most powerful supporting heroes]]. His mother, on the other hand, plays this one straight...* EvilOverlord: Lord Tedd, though Nioi insinuates that he's nothing of the sort. Well, ''[[MoralityPet to Nioi and around her]]'', he may be a [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2003-11-07 very nice]] lad indeed. After all, Lord Tedd is the product of Tedd's issues never fixed by the presence of either Elliot or Grace, and it looks like "[[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2002-05-09 guy with a furry fetish and a half-cat girlfriend]]" again.* EvilStoleMyFaith: Justin upon seeing [[TheStoic Susan's]] [[TastesLikeDiabetes "kitty face"]], thinks to himself that there is no god.* EvilTwin: When she's first introduced, Ellen tries to be one of these for Elliot in an effort to give herself some sense of identity. She turns out to be [[CantGetInTroubleForNuthin spectacularly bad at it.]]* ExactWords: Immortals in Moperville's universal neighborhood are forbidden (by some unexplained contract or compact with humans) from doing much more than "guiding and empowering." However, as the comic progresses, it quickly becomes clear that "[[AmplifierArtifact empowering]]" and "[[MindControl guiding]]" have loopholes big enough to drive a truck through. Loopholes which many immortals use with giddy abandon to achieve ends ranging from "vampire extermination" to "make me not bored." * ExpositionCut: Its frequent use is lampshaded in [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2002-11-14 this]] comic from late in the "Sister" arc.* ExpositionDiagram: Both Mr. Verres and Elliot's parents have used the Type 2 version.* ExpositionParty: Gets its own arc, the longest in the series.* ExpressiveHair: When [[spoiler: Catalina]] asks [[spoiler: Susan]] on a date, [[spoiler: her hair acted like cat ears, raising when she's happy and laying flat when she's upset.]]* {{Expy}}: Grace definitely has nothing in common with ComicBook/SquirrelGirl... [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2002-05-25 oops]]. On the other hand, "{{cat girl}}"-to-"[[PettingZooPeople squirrel]] girl" substitution doesn't leave many options anyway.** Mr. Raven comes across as [[Film/HarryPotter Snape]] with better style, at least at first. Tell me you don't imagine Alan Rickman delivering some of his lines.-->'''Raven:''' You are a homicidal wizard invading a public school. '''No one will care if I kill you.'''* ExplainExplainOhCrap:** First there was a [[http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2006-03-24 hilarious version]] with [[GenderBender female Tedd]] and too reasonable Susan.** And another, slightly [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=1596 more dramatic one]] with Elliot about [[spoiler:his girlfriend Sarah]]: "I care deeply about her and I want her always to be a part of my life! I don't want to hurt her! [[spoiler: She's [[LikeBrotherAndSister like a sister]] to me!]]"** [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=1925 Later]], Grace is ''sure'' that if [[spoiler:Justin has a magic mark]], he ''must'' know about it.---> How could he miss [[spoiler:a small flame shaped mark colored slightly different from the rest of his skin on a spot high up on his back]] where he'd need [[spoiler:a mirror]] and probably have to make a deliberate effort to '''''dammit'''''* ExtraParentConception: Uryuoms reproduce this way, with a variable number of parents.* ExtremeDoormat: Sarah's motive to be upset with Elliot... [[spoiler:to the point of wanting to break up with him.]] Elliot never takes the initiative of suggesting something to do and doesn't even have the drive to ''call her'' until someone tells him to do it. Sarah's always the one who must come out to call him or ask him out and decide what they should do, and even though she knows Elliot does it to avoid being oppressive to her, she's sick of it. Not to mention [[AboveTheInfluence Elliot, in all the months they had being together,]] [[ArentYouGoingToRavishMe never tried to have sex with her.]]----